Enrolment options
The aim of this module is to provide a solid understanding of the unique terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems found in the tropical latitudes, including lowland and montane tropical forest, savannah, gallery forest, wetlands, streams and lakes. In this module we will explore what makes the tropics the tropics and the features of tropical climates, tropical soil types, and the relationship between latitude, geographic location, and elevation on productivity and biogeochemical cycles of tropical ecosystems. We will explore the explanations proposed for the high diversity found in tropical ecosystems. The latter part of the module will explore the drivers of landscape change in the tropics, including causes for tropical deforestation and wetlands loss. There is a GIS component to this module, to explore approaches to assessing land use/land cover change.